Vacant for more than a decade, a development plan has emerged for an Elm Street warehouse.

Ellicott Development Co. is proposing to turn the former Jansen Bros. equine supply store into a mixed-use building anchored by first floor commercial office space and five upper-level apartments. Ellicott will be formally presenting its proposal for the building, located at 173 Elm St., to the Buffalo Planning Board on Dec. 17.

Ellicott bought the four-story, nearly 14,000-square-foot building in June from Bear Den Properties Inc. for $325,000 according to public documents filed in the Erie County Clerk’s office.

“It fits in with our mixed-use development plan,” said William Paladino, Ellicott chief executive officer.

Paladino said his company will invest $1.5 million bringing the late 1800s era building back to life. Pending various Buffalo approvals, the renovation work could start this winter and the office portion could be ready by late spring.

Negotiations are just wrapping up with a prospective office tenant, Paladino said.

Tentative plans call for the tenant to take all of the first floor and a portion of the second floor.

Apartments are planned for the remaining of the second floor as well as the building’s third and fourth floors.

The project includes parking on the Michigan Avenue side of the building.

After Jansen Bros. closed, Mudpie’s Children’s Museum eyed the building for its downtown Buffalo operations. Those plans never materialized and the building remained vacant.

James Fink covers real estate, commercial development and government

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